.. the U.S. ambassador to Riyahd, James Akins, did his best to placate King Faisal by urging the Saudi’s American-owned oil concessionaire ARAMCO to, in Akin’s words, “hammer home” to the White House that the embargo (seventies) wouldn’t be lifted unless

“the political struggle is settled in manner satisfactory to Arabs.”

Prince Bandar told Bush

Starting today, you go your way and we will go our way. From then on, the Saudis would look out for their own national interests.

It seemed the United States had made a strategic decision to adopt Sharon’s policy as American policy.

Within thirty-six hours, Bandar was on his way to Riyadh with a conciliatory response from Bush. When Bandar returned Powell cornered him.

“What the fuck are you doing?” witnesses recall Powell asking. “You’re putting the fear of God in everybody’s hearts here. We’ve all come rushing here to hear this revelation that you bring from Saudi Arabia. You scared the shit out of everybody.”